Commonage farmers should not be refused GLAS payments, says Gray

No commonage farmer should be refused access to the GLAS scheme due to the decisions of other shareholders, according to the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association.

ICSA rural development chairman Billy Gray said the requirement for 50% of shareholders or shareholders with more than 50% of the commonage area to sign up to the plan may work in theory. “But the ICSA is convinced there will be cases where this does not work out. In such circumstances, we have to ensure that the farmers who want to do what is required are not excluded,” he said.

Mr Gray welcomed clarification that the Pillar 1 payment would not be affected by GLAS participation or non-participation or with maximum stocking rates set out under a GLAS plan.

Mr Gray said ICSA has also pushed for ongoing consultation between the Commonage Appeals Committee and the farm organisations.